Last Chance: Deadlines You Need to Know This Week

Welcome to Last Chance, a new feature that will provide a list of upcoming deadlines that you may want to know about.

We’ll feature the latest deadlines to take a class, apply for a scholarship or register to vote.

Here is a list of important dates that Reading and North Reading residents will want to know this week.

Vote For Your High School Basketball Team

If you think  basketball team is the best and want to win $1,000 for your school's athletic department, vote for the Super 25 People's Championship.

The People's Championship will determine the nation's top boys' and girls' basketball team and the team with the most votes will receive a $1,000 donation to its athletic department and the Super 25 People's Champion trophy presented by HighSchoolSports.net. The deadline for voting is April 30.

Scholarship

Applications for the Penney Richards Scholarship are due May 1. The memorial fund was established by David and Penny Richards of North Reading, in memory of their daughter, Penney. She was killed in a motorcycle crash on November 19, 2009 at age 25. At the time of her death she was a medical assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital's North Shore Cancer Center in Danvers, and preparing to enter a radiation/oncology program to further her education.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes business and health care industry professionals. The final determination of awards will be the decision of Mr. and Mrs. Richards, in conjunction with input from the application review committee. Applicants will be notified of their award by June 15, 2012. 

Find more information about the scholarship fund and download a PDF of the application and instructions online. 

Vote For Your High School Basketball Team

If you think  basketball team is the best and want to win $1,000 for your school's athletic department, vote for the Super 25 People's Championship.

The People's Championship will determine the nation's top boys' and girls' basketball team and the team with the most votes will receive a $1,000 donation to its athletic department and the Super 25 People's Champion trophy presented by HighSchoolSports.net. The deadline for voting is April 30.

Parks & Recreation 

Register for Adult Cake Decorating, Thursday, April 26 from 6:45-8:45 p.m. at the . Bring a cake frosted white. Participants will be notified on shape/size of cake by email. Other supplies are included in the price of the class, $30. You have to be over 18 to participate.

Scholarship

Applications for the Penney Richards Scholarship are due May 1. The memorial fund was established by David and Penny Richards of North Reading, in memory of their daughter, Penney. She was killed in a motorcycle crash on November 19, 2009 at age 25. At the time of her death she was a medical assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital's North Shore Cancer Center in Danvers, and preparing to enter a radiation/oncology program to further her education.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes business and health care industry professionals. The final determination of awards will be the decision of Mr. and Mrs. Richards, in conjunction with input from the application review committee. Applicants will be notified of their award by June 15, 2012. 

Find more information about the scholarship fund and download a PDF of the application and instructions online. 

DPW

The  has started the North Reading townwide spring cleanup:

• Townwide cleaning of our 2100 catch basins was completed last month.

• Street sweeping has begun starting in the downtown area with anticipated completion before June 15. We will then start at the northeast part of town working south and then west ending at the Martin’s Pond area. Sidewalks on main roads will be swept by the DPW. Residents on streets other than main roads are asked to sweep the sand, etc from the sidewalk and grass strip to the edge of the street for sweeper pickup.

• Townwide street line & crosswalk painting will start in April after street sweeping is completed.

• Townwide roadside trash & debris removal is ongoing year round.

• Town park & cemetery cleanup also ongoing.

• Townwide repairs of minor road defects are ongoing. Road paving will start later in the spring. Private gravel road grading started in March.

• The hay bales & fencing in the downtown common were removed last week. 

• The Compost Site at the DPW Complex, 166 Chestnut Street will be open daily starting April 1.  Residents can take household quantities of compost & drop off grass clippings and leaves. No branches are accepted. No contractors. Normal hours are Saturday from 8AM-4 PM but residents can call the DPW at 978-664-6071 for approval for site access during the workweek. 

• The Townwide curbside collection of yard waste will be on Saturday, April 28. Yard waste must be put out by 6:30 AM in paper bags only (NO PLASTIC BAGS). Branches are accepted up to 3 inch diameter & no longer than 3 feet. Branches must be bundled (tied together) and each bundle cannot weigh over 25 pounds each.

• The town’s Special Waste Collection (oil, batteries, propane tanks, etc) will be in June and the Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held after Labor Day. We will publish the dates when they are confirmed.

Please call or visit the DPW in Town Hall, 235 North Street at 978-664-6060 if you have questions.